Speaking Thursday at the French Institute on “From Degas to Me With Some Artists in Between,” Fischl recalled when “Tumbling Woman” — a nude inspired by the victims who jumped from the Twin Towers — was unveiled at Rockefeller Center on the first anniversary of the attacks.

“A firestorm happened and within three days it was covered and removed,” Fischl said. “I was accused of trying to hurt people further by making them remember the pain and loss.”

In their “profound cynicism,” the critics embraced “the idea that having feelings would alienate you rather than connect you,” Fischl said.

Now the sculpture is in a show, “Rendering the Unthinkable,” at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, and Fischl said, “For me, the journey is complete. The sculpture has found its rightful home.”

“In a time when other aspects of our culture are so profoundly advanced — technology, medicine, science — our greatest artists are playing with toys,” the artist said. “We should all meditate on that. I think it is really f - - king weird.”